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| Short-term prescriptions attacked | Short-term prescriptions attacked |
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| Patients with a thyroid disorder should be exempt from the widespread trend of giving just 28 days' worth of medication at a time, campaigners say. | |
| As well as being inconvenient, they say it means the NHS in England is paying for unnecessary prescriptions. | As well as being inconvenient, they say it means the NHS in England is paying for unnecessary prescriptions. |
| Around 18m scripts for underactive thyroid medication were issued in 2007, but campaigners say the number would be cut if they were issued for longer. | Around 18m scripts for underactive thyroid medication were issued in 2007, but campaigners say the number would be cut if they were issued for longer. |
| The NHS says it offers 28-day scripts to cut down medicines wastage. | The NHS says it offers 28-day scripts to cut down medicines wastage. |
| It's completely ludicrous Professor John Wass, Society for Endocrinology | It's completely ludicrous Professor John Wass, Society for Endocrinology |
| The thyroid gland produces hormones that keep the metabolism functioning effectively. | The thyroid gland produces hormones that keep the metabolism functioning effectively. |
| Having an under-active thyroid means not enough of the thyroxine hormone is produced, causing a range of symptoms including tiredness, weight gain, lethargy ad potentially heart failure and angina. | Having an under-active thyroid means not enough of the thyroxine hormone is produced, causing a range of symptoms including tiredness, weight gain, lethargy ad potentially heart failure and angina. |
| Patients are treated with synthetic thyroxine, which they need to take for life. | Patients are treated with synthetic thyroxine, which they need to take for life. |
| Dissatisfaction | Dissatisfaction |
| A study carried out by Newcastle University has found prescriptions for thyroid medication in England more than doubled over the last decade. | A study carried out by Newcastle University has found prescriptions for thyroid medication in England more than doubled over the last decade. |
| The 28-day prescription rule has been introduced by primary care trusts in a bid to cut the costly trend of medicines being wasted because people failed to finish a course. | The 28-day prescription rule has been introduced by primary care trusts in a bid to cut the costly trend of medicines being wasted because people failed to finish a course. |
| The cost of a 28-day thyroxine prescription is £1.12 - but pharmacists are also paid a 90p fee for each script they dispense. | The cost of a 28-day thyroxine prescription is £1.12 - but pharmacists are also paid a 90p fee for each script they dispense. |
| The Newcastle University team, led by Dr Simon Pearce, say the cost of treating a patient with thyroxine for a year with 28-day prescriptions is £26.20, whereas issuing scripts every 84 days costs £18.40. | The Newcastle University team, led by Dr Simon Pearce, say the cost of treating a patient with thyroxine for a year with 28-day prescriptions is £26.20, whereas issuing scripts every 84 days costs £18.40. |
| We know the NHS wastes millions and millions of pounds on prescribing medicines that don't get used properly Elizabeth Wade, NHS Confederation | We know the NHS wastes millions and millions of pounds on prescribing medicines that don't get used properly Elizabeth Wade, NHS Confederation |
| GPs do have discretion to write longer-lasting prescriptions for people with long-term conditions, but campaigners say many are not doing so. | GPs do have discretion to write longer-lasting prescriptions for people with long-term conditions, but campaigners say many are not doing so. |
| A survey of 2,500 people for the British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) found 38% had been given 28-day prescriptions and 17% had gone without thyroxine because of difficulties getting hold of the medication. | A survey of 2,500 people for the British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) found 38% had been given 28-day prescriptions and 17% had gone without thyroxine because of difficulties getting hold of the medication. |
| Janice Hickey, director of the BTF, said: "The situation is inconvenient for patients, especially if they are elderly or live in a rural area, and it also reminds people they've got a health problem. | Janice Hickey, director of the BTF, said: "The situation is inconvenient for patients, especially if they are elderly or live in a rural area, and it also reminds people they've got a health problem. |
| People with Addison's disease, a rare disorder brought about by the failure of the adrenal glands are also affected by the 28-day rule. | People with Addison's disease, a rare disorder brought about by the failure of the adrenal glands are also affected by the 28-day rule. |
| They need lifelong treatment with steroid replacement therapy is required, and patients can become ill very quickly if do not have access to medication. | They need lifelong treatment with steroid replacement therapy is required, and patients can become ill very quickly if do not have access to medication. |
| Review | Review |
| Professor John Wass, chairman of the Society for Endocrinologists - the specialists who treat patients with thyroid disorders and Addison's, said: "This is happening because PCTs are trying to save money on the cost of wasted drugs. | Professor John Wass, chairman of the Society for Endocrinologists - the specialists who treat patients with thyroid disorders and Addison's, said: "This is happening because PCTs are trying to save money on the cost of wasted drugs. |
| "But people with chronic conditions, whose lives depend on it, aren't going to waste their medication, and this means they are having to go to their doctor 12 times a year and get 12 prescriptions. | "But people with chronic conditions, whose lives depend on it, aren't going to waste their medication, and this means they are having to go to their doctor 12 times a year and get 12 prescriptions. |
| "It's completely ludicrous." | "It's completely ludicrous." |
| Elizabeth Wade, from the PCT Network at the NHS Confederation, said: "There's a very good rationale behind 28-day prescribing. | Elizabeth Wade, from the PCT Network at the NHS Confederation, said: "There's a very good rationale behind 28-day prescribing. |
| "We know the NHS wastes millions and millions of pounds on prescribing medicines that don't get used properly. | "We know the NHS wastes millions and millions of pounds on prescribing medicines that don't get used properly. |
| "Even with long-term conditions, it's right that people get their medicines reviewed on a regular basis. | "Even with long-term conditions, it's right that people get their medicines reviewed on a regular basis. |
| "But a policy like this can be reviewed at the discretion of the individual prescriber, if patients feel they have exceptional circumstances." | "But a policy like this can be reviewed at the discretion of the individual prescriber, if patients feel they have exceptional circumstances." |
| A Department of Health spokeswoman said there had been no government directive to specify the length of time for which prescriptions should be issued. | A Department of Health spokeswoman said there had been no government directive to specify the length of time for which prescriptions should be issued. |